In a decisive victory, St. John's University (N.Y.) (24th-ranked in the NET) dominated Creighton (74th-ranked in the NET) at Madison Square Garden, ultimately prevailing 81-52. The margin of 29 points underscores the disparity in performance between the two teams, with the Red Storm establishing a significant lead early and maintaining control throughout the contest.
The first half score of 42-27 in favor of St. John's set the tone for the remainder of the game, with the Bluejays struggling to keep pace with the more cohesive and efficient Red Storm offense. Creighton's second-half output of 25 points was not enough to bridge the gap, and St. John's ultimately closed out the game with a commanding 39-25 advantage in the second half.
Dylan Darling's all-around performance was a significant factor in St. John's decisive victory. His 17 points, coupled with four rebounds and three assists, demonstrated his ability to contribute in multiple facets of the game. Darling's efficiency from the field, shooting 71.4% on 5-7 attempts, and his clutch free throw shooting, converting 6-8 attempts, also highlighted his reliability in key situations. Furthermore, his one block added to the Red Storm's defensive prowess.
Bryce Hopkins and Zuby Ejiofor also played crucial roles in the team's victory. Hopkins' dominant rebounding, with 10 boards, allowed St. John's to maintain possession and control the tempo of the game. His 15 points, largely the result of efficient field goal shooting (60%), were also a significant contributor to the team's scoring output. Ejiofor, meanwhile, provided a spark off the bench, with 15 points and a pair of blocks, showcasing his versatility and defensive capabilities. His 87.5% free throw shooting also helped to secure key points in the second half.
Fedor Zugic's 9 points on 3-7 shooting from the field and 3-5 from three-point range was a respectable output, but it ultimately fell short in the context of the team's overall performance. His ability to knock down outside shots was a bright spot, but he was unable to make a more significant impact on the game.
Josh Dix's 8 points on 4-11 shooting from the field, coupled with his 0 assists, was a disappointing outing for the Creighton forward. His inability to convert on his opportunities and his lack of involvement in the team's offense was a key factor in the team's struggles. Blake Harper's 7 points on 2-4 shooting from the field was a modest contribution, but his inability to add anything else to his stat line limited his overall impact.
The remainder of the St. John's roster and the Creighton team largely adhered to their season averages, with few notable exceptions.
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Final
The disparity between the predicted and actual margins of victory was not as surprising as it may have seemed, given the overall trend of St. John's performance this season. While the Red Storm's shooting percentages were below their season averages, their ability to capitalize on turnovers and control the paint ultimately proved to be the decisive factor. In a game where both teams shot well below their season averages from beyond the arc, the difference on the glass and in the paint told the story.
The disparity in rebounding rates was particularly telling, with St. John's securing a significant advantage on the offensive glass, a trend that has been consistent for the Red Storm this season. Meanwhile, Creighton's inability to match St. John's on the glass, combined with their low OREB rate, limited their scoring opportunities and forced them to rely on outside shots, which ultimately failed to materialize. The result was a 29-point blowout, one that reflected the Red Storm's ability to control the paint and secure key rebounds.
The upset victory for St. John's bolsters its NCAA Tournament resume, particularly with a 7-0 mark in Quad 2 games. This win will likely secure a top four seed in the Big East Tournament and potentially place the Red Storm in the 7-9 range nationally in seeding. Conversely, Creighton's loss drops its Quad 1 record to 2-8 and likely diminishes its seeding prospects, potentially relegating the Bluejays to a 10-12 seed in the NCAA Tournament.